Community Update: Progress After Staff Test Positive for COVID at the Pines LTC Home

Following two confirmed staff cases of COVID-19 at the Pines Long-Term Care Home over the weekend, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) placed the Home in outbreak status and has ordered more than 65 residents to isolate for 14 consecutive days in their rooms.   At this time, general visiting remains suspended, and only staff, essential caregivers, and essential visitors may enter the Home.

All efforts and available resources at the District are being directed to supporting residents and staff at the Pines as a priority during the isolation period.  Public Health will lift the outbreak status following 14 consecutive days with no new cases, which may be as soon as the end of the day of November 12, 2021.

Residents and Staff Testing

• Full COVID-19 PCR testing was completed for all residents over the weekend.  Some results have been received, and the remaining results are expected in the coming days.  At this time, no residents have tested positive.
• Full PRC testing for all staff began yesterday and is being completed today, and results of testing are expected in the coming days.  At this time, no additional staff have tested positive.
• Daily rapid testing of all staff or essential caregivers entering the Home will continue until further notice.

Support for Residents, Families and Staff

• Additional District staff are being voluntarily redeployed to support staff and residents at the Pines during this isolation period.  These staff will be assisting with portering residents, monitoring hallways, and checking in on residents during meal times, which will allow Pines staff to focus on providing personal care and direct support to residents.
• Regular updates will continue to be provided to residents, their families, and staff.

Enhanced Health and Safety Measures

The Pines continues to maintain steps to protect residents and staff. These steps include:

• Enhanced deep-cleaning of all Home and common areas of the Pines, increasing the daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
• Additional PPE supplies have been delivered to the Home.
• The Pines management team is working with Public Health to identify high-risk contacts and is following their guidance on any additional steps required.

Additional updates will be provided as results are available.  Thank you to the community for its continued support and best wishes for our residents and staff.

"Resident and staff health and safety remain our top priority," said District Chair John Klinck. "Our thoughts and best wishes are with our residents, their families, and our valued staff members as they continue to support each other in facing these challenging circumstances."

"We continue to work closely with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to ensure we have taken all the appropriate precautions," said Norm Barrette, Commissioner of Health Services. "I can't say thank you enough to the dedicated team at the Pines who go to all lengths to ensure the health and safety of our residents and to provide comfort to them during these difficult times."

"Once again, our staff continue to go the extra mile to meet the challenges of this pandemic," said Julie Stevens, CAO. "We are immensely proud and appreciative of their dedication to assisting where needed and supporting each other's teams."